Summer Archives - A Classic Twist

Dark Chocolate S’mores Blondies

Zainab Mansaray — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000

These dark chocolate S’mores blondies are a fun and decadent twist on the classic campfire treat. Dark chocolate chunks and mini marshmallows are folded into a rich, buttery blondie batter, then topped with crunchy graham cracker pieces. Baked until golden around the edges, the center stays perfectly soft and chewy. Each bite is packed with the nostalgic flavor of traditional S’mores without the need for a campfire. These easy S’mores bars are perfect for summer gatherings, after-school snacks, or anytime you’re craving those nostalgic flavors!

A warm, gooey S’more always brings back cozy memories. There is nothing better than sitting around the fire on a Saturday night and eating a melty, toasted S’more!

If you’ve been craving s’mores, this recipe is for you!

These dark chocolate S’mores blondies capture all of those comforting memories in one easy bar.

These blondies combine the classic chewy blondie and everything you love about S’mores: the toasted marshmallows, the crunchy bits of graham crackers, and that perfect melty dark chocolate.

I love how easy these S’mores blondies are to make. Plus, you can make them anytime of the year, and no need to build a fire! Everything comes together in one pan with simple ingredients.

Now, let’s talk about some tips so these bars turn out delicious. First, I recommend using an 8-inch square baking pan. Using a larger pan will spread the batter too thin, and you’ll lose that thick, soft, chewy center that makes these bars so delicious. If you’d like to make a larger batch, simply double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13-inch pan.

If you don’t have a dark chocolate bar on hand, you can substitute dark chocolate chunks. Use ⅔ cups to equal a chocolate bar.

I do not recommend substituting the graham crackers for graham cracker crumbs. These bars won’t be the same without broken graham cracker pieces; they add that signature crunch and texture that make a S’more.

These dark chocolate S’mores blondies are everything you love about the classic campfire dessert combined in an easy-to-make bar. They’re rich, buttery, gooey, chocolatey, and packed with nostalgic flavor that will have everyone reaching for seconds.

Ingredients

all-purpose flour
baking powder
sea salt
unsalted butter
brown sugar
a few eggs
vanilla bean paste
bar dark chocolate
mini marshmallows
graham cracker

How to Make S’mores Blondies

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan, then line it with parchment on all sides, leaving an overhang.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and sea salt, then set aside.

In a separate larger bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, egg, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until mostly combined. The batter will be thick.

Set aside a small handful of the chopped dark chocolate and mini marshmallows. Fold the rest into the batter until evenly distributed.

Spread the batter into an even layer in the lined pan.

Then scatter the broken graham crackers over the top and lightly press them in. Scatter the remaining chocolate and marshmallows over the top.

Bake the blondies for 32-38 minutes until a tester comes out clean. Cool blondies in the pan on a wire rack for 1-2 hours before slicing and serving.

How to Store

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature and enjoy within 3 days for the best texture. The blondies will have the best texture on the day they are made.

More S’mores Recipes

What do you think of this amazing S’mores bar recipe? What would you serve with these bars? Let me know in the comment section below.

If you share across social media, make sure to tag #aclassictwist, so I can see your beautiful creation come to life!

Happy summer baking, friends!

S’mores Blondies Recipe

No Ratings

Yield: 9

Dark Chocolate S’mores Blondies

These dark chocolate s’mores blondies are a fun and decadent twist on the classic campfire treat. Dark chocolate chunks and mini marshmallows are folded into a rich, buttery blondie batter, then topped with crunchy graham cracker pieces.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 38 minutes

Additional Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 48 minutes

Ingredients

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon sea salt
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 large egg + 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla bean paste
1 3-ounce bar dark chocolate, roughly chopped
1 cup mini marshmallows
½ cup broken graham cracker pieces

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan, then line it on all sides with parchment, leaving an overhang.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and sea salt, then set aside.
In a separate larger bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, egg, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until mostly combined. The batter will be thick.
Set aside a small handful of the chopped dark chocolate and mini marshmallows. Fold the rest into the batter until evenly distributed.
Spread the batter into an even layer in the lined pan, then scatter the broken graham crackers over the top and lightly press them in. Scatter the remaining chocolate and marshmallows over the top.
Bake the blondies for 32-38 minutes until a tester comes out clean. Cool blondies in the pan on a wire rack for 1-2 hours before slicing and serving.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature and enjoy within 3 days for the best texture. The blondies will have the best texture on the day they are made.

Notes

Recipe Tips and Testing Notes

While it’s tempting to slice these right out of the oven, allowing them to cool and rest for a minimum of 1 hour ensures the perfect soft and chewy texture.
Don’t forget to use room-temperature eggs! This helps them incorporate into the wet ingredients much more easily and prevents the melted butter from seizing up or forming clumps. If you forget to set them out ahead of time, you can quickly bring them to room temperature by placing them in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for about 10 minutes.
The dark chocolate helps balance the sweetness of the marshmallows, but if you’re making these for younger palates, feel free to use an equal amount of milk chocolate.
I tested these with all brown sugar and half brown sugar, half granulated sugar. I preferred the taste and texture of the batch with all brown sugar as it yielded a chewier, softer texture and richer flavor.
A roughly chopped 3-ounce bar of dark chocolate is equivalent to about ⅔ cup. If you prefer, you can use ⅔ cup dark chocolate chunks instead.
Do not skip the cooling time – this allows the blondies to fully set.

FAQs

Can I bake these in a bigger pan? I recommend using an 8-inch square baking pan for this blondie recipe, as a larger pan will yield much thinner blondies. You can double the recipe if you prefer and bake it in a 9x13-inch pan.

Can I use dark chocolate chunks instead of a dark chocolate bar? Yes, you can use dark chocolate chunks instead of a dark chocolate bar. You’ll need ⅔ cup total.

Can I use graham cracker crumbs instead of broken graham crackers? No, I do not recommend using graham cracker crumbs because they won’t have the same texture as pieces of broken graham crackers and will dry out the blondies.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 444Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 296mgCarbohydrates: 73gFiber: 1gSugar: 48gProtein: 4g

The post Dark Chocolate S’mores Blondies appeared first on A Classic Twist.

Fresh Peach Snacking Cake Recipe

Zainab Mansaray — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 10:34:00 +0000

This fresh peach snacking cake is soft, moist, and topped with a layer of tender, juicy peaches. A simple vanilla cake batter flavored with lemon zest is topped with thinly sliced peaches, then baked until golden brown. This peach cake is easy and unfussy, making it perfect for brunch or a simple summer dessert. Serve it as-is or dust it with powdered sugar right before serving!

Hey there, and welcome back, friends.

Sometimes you just need a simple, rustic cake made with seasonal fruit. This peach snack cake is the perfect example of that! With summer being so busy and hot, we need something easy to make for dessert.

This cake recipe is versatile too! You could use any seasonal fruit, not just ripe, juicy peaches. I’m thinking plums, apples, pears, etc., would be great options. I know you’ll find yourself baking this cake again and again!

It’s not just a snack cake for enjoying with tea or coffee, but it’s also an easy weeknight dessert recipe. It’s a light dessert that is great for any occasion.

Let’s chat a little about the ingredients. I used lemon zest to brighten the peach flavor. I chose fresh peaches as the main ingredient.

Frozen peaches aren’t the best choice since they’re usually cut into larger slices or chunks that don’t arrange as nicely over the batter. They also release extra moisture as they bake, which can affect the finished texture of the cake.

With all of the activities over the summer and with the kids home, we need unfussy cakes! Save the fancy cake decorating for over the winter. There are no fancy decorating techniques needed for this snack cake. The peach slices are beautiful on their own. A light dusting of powdered sugar is all that is needed to make this cake elegant.

The next time you see fresh peaches at your grocery store or farmer’s market, grab some and make this cake! You won’t regret it and your family will love it!

Ingredients

a few fresh peaches
brown sugar
all-purpose flour
sea salt
baking powder
baking soda
granulated sugar
vegetable oil
sour cream
a few large eggs
vanilla bean paste, or vanilla extract
lemon zest
powdered sugar, optional for serving

How to Make a Peach Snacking Cake

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with a round of parchment paper.

Toss the peaches with the brown sugar in a small bowl and set aside.

Whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl.

In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the sugar, vegetable oil, sour cream, eggs, vanilla bean paste, and lemon zest until smooth.

Add the wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined. The batter will be creamy and thick.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer.

Arrange the peach slices on top by hand, rather than dumping them all at once. Leave any accumulated juices in the bowl.

Bake the cake on the middle rack of the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the sides of the cake are beginning to pull away from the pan.

Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes. Slide a palette knife around the edge of the cake to help loosen it before removing the ring.

Dust the cake with powdered sugar if you like before slicing and serving.

How to Store

Store homemade peach snack cake at room temperature in an airtight container for up to two days or store in the fridge for up to five days.

More Peach Dessert Recipes

What do you think of this homemade peach cake recipe? What would you serve with a slice of this? Let me know in the comment section below.

If you share across social media, make sure to tag #aclassictwist, so I can see your beautiful creation come to life!

Happy baking, friends!

Peach Cake Recipe

No Ratings

Yield: 12

Fresh Peach Snacking Cake

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes

Additional Time 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes

Ingredients

1 ½ cups thinly sliced fresh peaches, about 3 small or 2 medium peaches
1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
⅔ cup granulated sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
⅔ cup sour cream, at room temperature
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste, or vanilla extract
2 teaspoons lemon zest, from about 1 medium lemon
Powdered sugar, optional for serving

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with a round of parchment paper.
Toss the peaches with the brown sugar in a small bowl and set aside.
Whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl.
In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the sugar, vegetable oil, sour cream, eggs, vanilla bean paste, and lemon zest until smooth.
Add the wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined. The batter will be creamy and thick. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. Arrange the peach slices on top by hand, rather than dumping them all at once. Leave any accumulated juices in the bowl.
Bake the cake on the middle rack of the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the sides of the cake are beginning to pull away from the pan.
Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes. Slide a palette knife around the edge of the cake to help loosen it before removing the ring.
Dust the cake with powdered sugar if you like before slicing and serving.

Notes

The cake needs to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving but you can let it cool completely if you prefer.

Recipe Tips and Testing Notes

Slice the peaches to a thickness of approximately ⅛-inch.
Ripe peaches that are still on the firm side work best. Peaches that are too ripe tend to fall apart when tossed with the brown sugar.
Do not dump the peaches on top of the cake. Instead, arrange them evenly over the surface. There’s no need to press them into the batter.
In testing, both sour cream and whole milk Greek yogurt worked in the cake. I prefer the richness and flavor of the cake made with sour cream.
The combination of vegetable oil and sour cream ensures the cake remains soft and moist. I do not recommend substituting melted butter for vegetable oil, as it may result in a drier, crumbly texture.
You can also make this cake with an equal amount of sliced apricots, plums, or nectarines.

Do I need to use a springform pan? A 9-inch springform pan is the best option since it is deep enough to allow plenty of room for the cake to rise during baking. If you don’t have a springform pan, you can use a 9-inch cake pan that is at least 2 inches deep.

Can I use frozen peaches? No, I do not recommend using frozen peaches for this recipe. They are typically pre-cut into large slices or diced, which does not work well for this specific cake.

No-Churn Strawberry Cookies & Cream Ice Cream

Zainab Mansaray — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 10:30:00 +0000

This no-churn strawberry cookies and cream ice cream comes together without the use of an ice cream maker! Strawberries are briefly cooked to intensify their flavor before being folded into soft-whipped cream and sweetened condensed milk. Vanilla sandwich cookies lend another layer of flavor and texture that pairs well with the sweet strawberries. Once this no-churn ice cream is frozen for 6 hours, it’s ready to scoop and enjoy!

Every bite of this strawberry ice cream tastes like summer! It’s packed with lightly cooked strawberries and chunks of vanilla sandwich cookies. It’s sure to become a favorite recipe. How could you resist a scoop of this ice cream?

Homemade ice cream is surprisingly easy to make. You only need to whip heavy whipping cream, fold in some condensed milk and your ice cream flavors, and then freeze! That’s literally all there is to it.

The heavy whipping cream keeps the ice cream scoopable because of all the air it incorporates. There is no need to use an ice cream maker when using whipped cream.

Since I used fresh strawberries in this recipe, I brought out their flavor by lightly cooking them. It makes them a little jam-like.

My favorite part, besides the strawberries, is the cookies! Store-bought vanilla sandwich cookies work perfectly to add a little crunch and sweetness to the ice cream. It adds a little fun to a classic strawberry ice cream recipe.

If fresh strawberries aren’t in season, don’t worry. Frozen strawberries work wonderfully here, too. There’s no need to thaw them beforehand. Simply add them directly to the saucepan and cook them down, gently mashing them as they soften to help them break into smaller pieces.

Keep in mind that frozen berries usually release a bit more moisture, so they’ll need a little extra cooking time before they thicken and jam up.

While I love the flavor of vanilla sandwich cookies in this recipe, you can easily switch things up by using chocolate sandwich cookies instead. The chocolate adds another layer of richness that pairs beautifully with the strawberries and gives the ice cream a fun cookies-and-cream twist.

Ingredients

strawberries
granulated sugar
lemon juice
sweetened condensed milk
sea salt
heavy whipping cream
vanilla bean paste, or vanilla extract
a few vanilla sandwich cookies

How to Make No-Churn Strawberry Cookies & Cream Ice Cream

Add the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice to a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Once the strawberries release their juices and start to simmer, stir regularly and begin to mash the strawberries to encourage them to break down.

Once the juices start to thicken and are deeper in color, after about 5-8 minutes, remove the pan from the heat. Allow the strawberries to cool to room temperature before proceeding with the recipe.

Add the cooled strawberries to a large mixing bowl along with the sweetened condensed milk and the salt. Whisk to combine, then set aside.

Add the cold heavy whipping cream to the bowl of a stand mixer along with the vanilla bean paste.

Using the whisk attachment, beat on low, gradually working up to medium-high as the mixture thickens and gains volume. Beat until soft peaks form.

Add the whipped cream to the bowl with the sweetened condensed milk and fold it in until well combined.

Fold in the chopped cookies, saving a handful for the top of the ice cream.

Pour the ice cream base into a large loaf pan or other similarly-sized container, then top with the remaining handful of cookies.

Cover the top with plastic wrap, then freeze the ice cream base for a minimum of 6 hours.

When you’re ready to serve the ice cream, remove it from the freezer and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before scooping.

How to Store

Keep homemade ice cream stored in the freezer. Always allow the ice cream to sit for about 15 minutes before scooping, since homemade ice cream is not scoopable straight out of the freezer.

More Homemade Ice Cream Recipes

What do you think of this creamy homemade strawberry ice cream recipe? What would you serve with a scoop of this? Let me know in the comment section below.

If you share across social media, make sure to tag #aclassictwist, so I can see your beautiful creation come to life!

Happy summer, friends!

No Churn Strawberry Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Recipe

No Ratings

Yield: 8

No-Churn Strawberry Cookies and Cream Ice Cream

Prep Time 30 minutes

Additional Time 6 hours

Total Time 6 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound strawberries, hulled and diced
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 pinch sea salt
1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream, cold
1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste, or vanilla extract
15 vanilla sandwich cookies, roughly chopped

Instructions

Add the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice to a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Once the strawberries release their juices and start to simmer, stir regularly and begin to mash the strawberries to encourage them to break down. Once the juices start to thicken and are deeper in color, after about 5-8 minutes, remove the pan from the heat. Allow the strawberries to cool to room temperature before proceeding with the recipe.
Add the cooled strawberries to a large mixing bowl along with the sweetened condensed milk and the salt. Whisk to combine, then set aside.
Add the cold heavy whipping cream to the bowl of a stand mixer along with the vanilla bean paste. Using the whisk attachment, beat on low, gradually working up to medium-high as the mixture thickens and gains volume. Beat until soft peaks form.
Add the whipped cream to the bowl with the sweetened condensed milk and fold it in until well combined. Fold in the chopped cookies, saving a handful for the top of the ice cream.
Pour the ice cream base into a large loaf pan or other similarly-sized container, then top with the remaining handful of cookies. Cover the top with plastic wrap, then freeze the ice cream base for a minimum of 6 hours.
When you’re ready to serve the ice cream, remove it from the freezer and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before scooping.

Notes

Keep leftovers covered with plastic wrap in the freezer and enjoy within a week for the best flavor and texture.

Cooking the strawberries first helps to intensify the flavor and eliminates icy chunks of fruit in the final ice cream.
You’ll know the strawberries are ready when the juices look thicker and more syrupy rather than watery.
Make sure to fold the whipped cream into the sweetened condensed milk rather than whisking or mixing so that you don’t knock all of the air out of it. This helps ensure a creamy ice cream texture rather than an icy one.
I used a pullman loaf pan (10x4x4) to freeze and store the ice cream and there was plenty of room. If you only have a standard 9x5 loaf pan, you’ll most likely need an additional smaller container for the remainder of the ice cream.
Though the ice cream can be eaten straight out of the freezer, I found that letting it sit at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes made scooping much easier.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh? Yes, you can use 1 pound of frozen strawberries in place of the fresh strawberries. There’s no need to thaw them first. Make sure to mash them as they start to soften to encourage them to break down into smaller pieces. Note that frozen strawberries will most likely take longer to cook down than fresh ones.

Can I use chocolate sandwich cookies instead of vanilla sandwich cookies? Yes! You can use chocolate sandwich cookies instead for a different flavor.

Do I have to freeze the ice cream in a loaf pan? No, you do not need to freeze the ice cream base in a loaf pan. Any similarly sized container will work just fine.

Honey Sweetened Blueberry Cobbler

Zainab Mansaray — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Ready in about an hour with just 10 minutes of prep, this blueberry cobbler is sweetened with honey and baked with a rustic, buttermilk biscuit-style topping. As it bakes, the fresh blueberries become juicy and glossy while the topping turns golden and tender. Served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, this summer dessert is simple, comforting, and perfect for blueberry season.

Hey there, and welcome back, friends.

You are in for a juicy blueberry treat!

There’s something so comforting about a cobbler made with fresh summer fruit. I love watching the fruit bubble away while it bakes and smelling the scent of it as it fills my kitchen. It’s worth turning on the oven, plus it only takes about 30 minutes to bake.

I’ve always loved blueberries and blueberries have a way of making a dessert feel homey in the best way! This blueberry filling is sweetened with honey and bakes into a yummy, jammy filling that’s sweet, juicy, and full of blueberry flavor.

Of course, a classic cobbler is topped with a rustic buttermilk biscuit topping. This one takes about 10 minutes to whip together. It’s flaky, tender, and has hints of lemon zest to pull out the blueberry flavor.

This is the kind of dessert that begs to be served warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. Every bite is comforting and bursting with juicy blueberry goodness!!!

Before we begin baking, we need to go over a few tips so we can make the best blueberry cobbler. I’ve learned a few tricks over the years and I always want to share them with you.

For the best filling, I highly recommend using fresh blueberries if possible. Frozen blueberries tend to release more moisture as they bake, which can keep the biscuit topping from setting properly. If you only have frozen blueberries, I recommend thawing them fully, then draining off any accumulated liquid before using them in the recipe.

You can make the cobbler with milk instead of buttermilk. Since milk isn’t quite as thick as buttermilk, you will most likely only need to use 6 to 7 tablespoons total. If you’d like to make your own buttermilk, add ½ tablespoon of white vinegar to a ½-cup measure, then fill it the rest of the way with whole milk. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes in the fridge before using it in the recipe.

If you don’t have honey on hand, you can use an equal amount of maple syrup in place of the honey. Keep in mind that it will impart a maple flavor in the cobbler. Honey gives it a light, summery taste, whereas maple syrup would be perfect for a Fall dessert.

Ingredients

fresh blueberries
cornstarch
fresh lemon juice
vanilla bean paste
honey
all-purpose flour
baking powder
sea salt
lemon zest
unsalted butter
buttermilk
granulated sugar

How to Make Blueberry Cobbler

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Mix the blueberries, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla, and honey in a large bowl. Make sure the berries are evenly coated in the cornstarch and honey.

Then pour them into a 2-quart (or larger) baking dish.

Add the flour, baking powder, and sea salt to a bowl. Whisk to combine, then mix in the lemon zest.

Add the cold diced butter and cut it in with a pastry blender or fork until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Stir in the buttermilk and honey until the dough just comes together.

Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit topping evenly over the surface of the blueberries, using the back of the spoon to smooth them out as needed. The entire surface of the blueberries doesn’t need to be covered, but the dough should be in a roughly even layer so that it bakes evenly.

Brush the top with some buttermilk and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake the cobbler in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the topping is golden. Remove from the oven, cover with foil, then bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the topping is baked through and the juices are bubbling. If you stick a toothpick in the biscuit topping, it should come out clean.

Cool the cobbler for about 15-20 minutes before serving to allow the juices to thicken. Serve with vanilla ice cream if desired.

How to Store

Cover the leftover homemade blueberry cobbler and keep it stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

More Blueberry Recipes

What do you think of this comforting homemade blueberry cobbler recipe? What would you serve with this cobbler? Let me know in the comment section below.

If you share across social media, make sure to tag #aclassictwist, so I can see your beautiful creation come to life!

Happy summer baking, friends!

Blueberry Cobbler Recipe

No Ratings

Yield: 8 servings

Honey Sweetened Blueberry Cobbler

Ready in about an hour with just 10 minutes of prep, this blueberry cobbler is sweetened with honey and baked with a rustic, buttermilk biscuit-style topping.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Additional Time 20 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

For the blueberries:

6 cups fresh blueberries, about 2 pounds
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
¼ cup honey

For the biscuit topping:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons lemon zest
½ cup cold unsalted butter, diced
½ cup cold buttermilk, plus extra for brushing the top
¼ cup honey
1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar, for sprinkling on top

Optional for serving:

Vanilla ice cream

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Mix the blueberries, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla, and honey in a large bowl. Make sure the berries are evenly coated in the cornstarch and honey, then pour them into a 2-quart (or larger) baking dish.
Add the flour, baking powder, and sea salt to a bowl. Whisk to combine, then mix in the lemon zest. Add the cold diced butter and cut it in with a pastry blender or fork until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Stir in the buttermilk and honey until the dough just comes together.
Drop spoonfuls of the biscuit topping evenly over the surface of the blueberries, using the back of the spoon to smooth them out as needed. The entire surface of the blueberries doesn't need to be covered, but the dough should be in a roughly even layer so that it bakes evenly. Brush the top with some buttermilk and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake the cobbler in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the topping is golden. Remove from the oven, cover with foil, then bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the topping is baked through and the juices are bubbling. If you stick a toothpick in the biscuit topping, it should come out clean.
Cool the cobbler for about 15-20 minutes before serving to allow the juices to thicken. Serve with vanilla ice cream if desired.
Cover leftovers and store them in the refrigerator. Enjoy within 3-4 days.

Notes

The baking dish I used for testing is a 2 quart dish that is approximately 10 x 7 ½ inches and 2 ½ inches deep. I recommend using something of similar size that has at least a 2 quart capacity.

In order to make sure the biscuit topping bakes all the way through and doesn’t have any raw spots on the bottom, the baking is done in two steps. The cobbler bakes for 30 minutes, then the top is covered with foil to prevent it from burning and the cobbler is baked for an additional 10-15 minutes.
The cobbler will be super juicy right out of the oven so I found that letting it rest for 15-20 minutes before serving allowed the blueberry juices to thicken. This makes serving and eating much easier and the cobbler filling less runny.
Cornstarch helps thicken the blueberry juices and keeps the cobbler from being runny. I do not recommend swapping it out for another ingredient.
The biscuit topping should be kept as cold as possible so that it puffs up once it enters the heat of the oven rather than melting. I recommend using butter and buttermilk straight from the fridge and touching the dough with your hands as little as possible. The biscuit topping dough will be shaggy but if it seems too soft or like the butter is already starting to melt, pop it in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes before proceeding with the recipe.
I prefer the flavor of vanilla bean paste with the honey but you can use an equal amount of vanilla extract if you don’t have any on hand.

FAQs

Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh blueberries? I recommend using fresh blueberries here because frozen blueberries will release a lot more moisture and keep the biscuit topping from setting properly. If you only have frozen blueberries, I recommend thawing them fully, then draining off any accumulated liquid before using them in the recipe.

Can I use milk instead of buttermilk? Yes, you can make the cobbler with milk instead of buttermilk. Since milk isn’t quite as thick as buttermilk, you will most likely only need to use 6 to 7 tablespoons total. If you’d like to make your own buttermilk, add ½ tablespoon of white vinegar to a ½-cup measure, then fill it the rest of the way with whole milk. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes in the fridge before using it in the recipe.

Can I use maple syrup instead of honey? Yes, you can use an equal amount of maple syrup in place of the honey. Keep in mind that it will impart a maple flavor in the cobbler.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 529Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 362mgCarbohydrates: 95gFiber: 6gSugar: 33gProtein: 9g

The post Honey Sweetened Blueberry Cobbler appeared first on A Classic Twist.

Strawberry Vanilla Bean Tres Leches Cake

Zainab Mansaray — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

This strawberry vanilla bean tres leches cake is a summery take on the milk-soaked classic treat. Perfect as a make-ahead dessert, the light and airy vanilla bean sponge is soaked in a strawberry-flavored milk mixture for several hours. Finished with a layer of vanilla bean whipped cream and juicy macerated strawberries, this moist and delightful cake is perfect for any spring and summer gathering!

Hey there, and welcome back, friends.

You are in for a summery treat!

If you love a classic tres leches cake, this strawberry tres leches cake version is such a lovely twist for the warmer months.

The base of this cake is a soft vanilla bean sponge that’s designed to soak up all that delicious strawberry flavor. This sponge cake is allowed to slowly soak up the homemade strawberry-infused milk mixture, which transforms it into that signature tres leches texture!

It does take a few hours of preparation to make this cake, but it is worth all of the waiting time. Since the magic is in allowing this sponge cake to absorb the strawberry milk, it makes it a great make-ahead cake. This cake literally gets better the longer it sits!

This is a simple cake recipe to make that involves sponge cake, strawberry milk, whipped cream, and a strawberry topping. The strawberry milk can be made with fresh or frozen strawberries.

Then the sponge cake is topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries that are macerated. When the berries are macerated, they release their juices and become beautifully glossy and flavorful, adding a bright and juicy contrast to the cake underneath.

This cake is a stunner and would be perfect to serve at summer get-togethers, weeknights, or any occasion you’re craving strawberries.

Ingredients

all-purpose flour
sea salt
baking powder
a few large eggs
granulated sugar & powdered sugar
vanilla bean paste
whole milk & heavy whipping cream
fresh strawberries
evaporated milk
sweetened condensed milk
zest from a lemon

How to Make Tres Leches Cake with Strawberries

Preheat the oven and make sure there’s a rack in the center of the oven. Grease a rectangular baking pan with cooking spray.

Whisk together the flour, sea salt, and baking powder in a bowl, then set aside.

Add the eggs, sugar, and vanilla bean paste to the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix with the whisk attachment starting on low, working up to medium-high as the mixture gains volume. Whisk on medium-high for 6-8 minutes until the mixture thickens, turns pale yellow, and has more than doubled in volume.

Reduce the speed to low and gradually add about half of the dry ingredients, mixing until mostly combined, then gradually add the milk. Mix until mostly combined, then gradually add the remaining dry ingredients.

Mix until just combined, and there are no longer any streaks of flour remaining. Make sure not to overmix because you don’t want to knock all of the air out of the batter.

Pour the batter into the greased pan and gently spread it into an even layer. Bake the cake on the center rack of the preheated oven until golden on top, about 25 minutes, and it is pulling away from the sides of the pan, and a tester inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Place the pan on a cooling rack and allow the cake to cool fully, about an hour.

When the cake has cooled, make the strawberry milk mixture. Add the strawberries and whole milk to a blender. Blend on high until very smooth. Add the evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk and blend until combined.

Use a skewer to poke holes all over the top of the cake. Space the rows of holes about half an inch apart.

Pour the strawberry milk mixture over the top of the cake. Cover and refrigerate the cake for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight until all of the milk mixture has been absorbed.

Once the cake is in the fridge, make the macerated strawberries. Combine the strawberries with the sugar and lemon zest. Let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes until juicy, then stir once more, cover, and place in the fridge with the cake.

When ready to serve, add the cold heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla bean paste to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip on low, gradually working up to medium-high as the cream gains volume. Whip on medium-high for a few minutes or until medium peaks form.

Spread the whipped cream over the top of the cake, then spoon over some of the macerated strawberries.

Slice and serve the cake with the extra macerated strawberries on the side.

How to Store

Cover any leftovers and keep them in the fridge. Make sure to enjoy them within 3-4 days.

More Strawberry Recipes

What do you think of this amazing strawberry vanilla bean tres leches cake recipe? What would you serve with a slice of this cake? Let me know in the comment section below.

If you share across social media, make sure to tag #aclassictwist, so I can see your beautiful creation come to life!

Happy baking, friends!

Strawberry Tres Leches Cake Recipe

No Ratings

Yield: 12 servings

Strawberry Vanilla Bean Tres Leches Cake

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 28 minutes

Additional Time 5 hours

Total Time 5 hours 58 minutes

Ingredients

For the cake:

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla bean paste
½ cup whole milk, at room temperature

For the strawberry milk:

1 cup diced strawberries
½ cup whole milk
1 12-ounce can evaporated milk
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

For the macerated strawberries and whipped cream:

1 pound strawberries, hulled & quartered
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 medium lemon, zested
2 cups heavy whipping cream, cold
¼ cup powdered sugar
1 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla bean paste

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and make sure there’s a rack in the center of the oven. Grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
Whisk together the flour, sea salt, and baking powder in a bowl then set aside.
Add the eggs, sugar, and vanilla bean paste to the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix with the whisk attachment starting on low, working up to medium high as the mixture gains volume. Whisk on medium high for 6-8 minutes until the mixture thickens, turns pale yellow, and has more than doubled in volume.
Reduce the speed to low and gradually add about half of the dry ingredients, mixing until mostly combined, then gradually add the milk. Mix until mostly combined then gradually add the remaining dry ingredients. Mix until just combined and there are no longer any streaks of flour remaining. Make sure not to overmix because you don’t want to knock all of the air out of the batter.
Pour the batter into the greased pan and gently spread it into an even layer. Bake the cake on the center rack of the preheated oven for 22-28 minutes until golden on top, pulling away from the sides of the pan, and a tester inserted into the middle comes out clean. Place the pan on a cooling rack and allow the cake to cool fully, about 1 to 1 ½ hours.
When the cake has cooled, make the strawberry milk mixture. Add the strawberries and whole milk to a blender. Blend on high until very smooth. Add the evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk and blend until combined.
Use a skewer to poke holes all over the top of the cake. Space the rows of holes about 1/2 -inch apart. Pour the strawberry milk mixture over the top of the cake. Cover and refrigerate the cake for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight until all of the milk mixture has been absorbed.
Once the cake is in the fridge, make the macerated strawberries. Combine the strawberries with the sugar and lemon zest. Let them sit at room temp for 15-20 minutes until juicy, then stir once more, cover, and place in the fridge with the cake.
When ready to serve, add the cold heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla bean paste to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip on low, gradually working up to medium high as the cream gains volume. Whip on medium high for about 2-3 minutes or until medium peaks form.
Spread the whipped cream over the top of the cake then spoon over some of the macerated strawberries. Slice and serve the cake with the extra macerated strawberries on the side.
Cover any leftovers and keep them in the fridge. Make sure to enjoy them within 3-4 days.

Notes

For the most reliable results for the cake, I recommend using a metal baking pan rather than a ceramic baking dish.

A hand mixer can be used in place of a stand mixer. Use the beaters for both the cake batter and the whipped cream.
A half pound of strawberries will yield about 1 cup once hulled and diced for the strawberry milk.

Recipe Tips and Testing Notes

It might look like a long time to beat the eggs and sugar together but it’s necessary in order to build volume! Without this step, the cake will be flat and dense rather than light and spongy.
I tested the cake by adding all of the strawberry milk mixture at once and gradually adding 1 cup at a time over the course of about 1 hour. Neither made a difference in the final result. The amount of time that you let the milks soak into the cake is more important than how gradually you add the milks to the cake.
Once you add the strawberry milk mixture, make sure to allow for at least 4 hours for the cake to absorb the milks. I found that in testing, there was still a little left on top and on the sides that hadn’t soaked in at the 4 hour mark, but after resting overnight, all of the milk had been absorbed.
The eggs and milk must be at room temperature before using them to make the cake batter. Room temperature eggs whip up and gain volume much, much faster than cold eggs. The batter will also have a more even texture when all of the ingredients are at room temperature, which means it will bake evenly.
The cake and macerated strawberries can be made 1-2 days in advance but I recommend making and adding the whipped cream right before serving as it tends to deflate in the fridge over time.
For the best vanilla flavor, I recommend using vanilla bean paste in both the cake and the whipped cream.
Use the heavy whipping cream straight from the fridge as it needs to be cold in order to whip properly.

FAQs

Can I use frozen strawberries? You can use thawed frozen strawberries in the strawberry milk but I recommend using fresh strawberries for the macerated strawberry topping for the best flavor and texture.

Can I make this tres leches cake ahead of time? Absolutely! This cake requires a minimum of 4 hours of chilling time in the fridge in order to allow the strawberry milk mixture to fully absorb. As long as it is covered, it can rest in the fridge for 1-2 days before being served.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 375Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 11gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 114mgSodium: 244mgCarbohydrates: 49gFiber: 2gSugar: 38gProtein: 6g

The post Strawberry Vanilla Bean Tres Leches Cake appeared first on A Classic Twist.

Chocolate Espresso Icebox Cake

Zainab Mansaray — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 14:35:00 +0000

This chocolate espresso icebox cake is rich, creamy, and comes together with just 20 minutes of prep time! A whipped espresso mascarpone cream is layered with chocolate graham crackers and then chilled overnight in the refrigerator. The chilling time allows the graham crackers to soften and create a lovely, cake-like texture. Finished with dark chocolate shavings, this easy no-bake dessert is as elegant as it is effortless.

If you love low-effort desserts, this one is perfect for you! It takes as few as 20 minutes to whip up, plus a little chill time, and you don’t even need to do any baking!

It’s the perfect summer dessert that the whole family will love, and it’s fancy enough to serve at parties.

Are you in love with espresso and chocolate just as much as I am? I can’t get enough. I’ve paired them together in past desserts like these Espresso Chocolate Donuts, Espresso Chocolate Macarons, Dark Chocolate Mocha Mousse Cake, and Mocha Cheesecake.

The ice cream filling is made with a cloud-like mascarpone filling mixed with whipping cream, a little sugar, and espresso. It’s lightly sweet with a hint of coffee flavor that balances out the rich dark chocolate.

If you don’t have any mascarpone cheese on hand, it can be substituted with cream cheese, but it will yield a tangier flavor closer to cheesecake, which is still delicious!

This chocolate icebox cake is finished off with dark chocolate shavings. It gives it a fancy look, but we both know how little effort this dessert took!

I hope you enjoy making this at any time of the year, but especially on a hot summer day. It’s perfect for those chocolate cravings!

Ingredients

heavy whipping cream
espresso powder
mascarpone cheese
granulated sugar
vanilla extract
chocolate graham crackers
dark chocolate bar

How to Make Chocolate Espresso Icebox Cake

Line an 8-inch square baking pan or dish with parchment, leaving an overhang on all sides. Secure the sides with binder clips if desired.

Add the whipping cream and espresso powder to the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk to encourage the espresso powder to dissolve. Once it is mostly dissolved, add the mascarpone, sugar, and vanilla extract. Use the whisk attachment and mix on low for 1-2 minutes, or until the mixture begins to thicken.

Then, gradually increase the speed to medium-high. Whip until very thick and creamy, about 2 minutes.

Spread a skinny layer of the espresso cream on the bottom of the lined pan (this will help the graham crackers adhere).

Then place a single layer of graham crackers on top.

Spread ¼ of the espresso cream evenly over the graham crackers in a layer using an offset spatula, followed by another layer of graham crackers. Repeat this process 3 more times, ending with a layer of cream on top.

You should end up with 4 total layers of graham crackers. Cover the top with clingfilm and chill overnight, for at least 12 hours.

When you’re ready to serve the cake, remove it from the fridge. Use parchment to lift out the cake and place it on a platter or board.

Use a vegetable peeler to shave off pieces of chocolate along the outer edges of the chocolate bar, then scatter them over the top of the cake.

Slice into eight equal pieces and serve immediately. Keep leftovers covered and chilled.

How to Store

You can prepare this icebox cake up to 3 days in advance. After 4 days, you can move leftovers to the freezer where they will keep for up to 2 months.

Leftovers may be frozen for up to 2 months. Allow them to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying.

More Homemade Ice Cream Recipes

What do you think of this amazing chocolate espresso icebox cake recipe? What would you serve with a slice of this? Let me know in the comment section below.

If you share across social media, make sure to tag #aclassictwist, so I can see your beautiful creation come to life!

Happy summer, friends!

Chocolate Espresso Icebox Cake Recipe

No Ratings

Yield: 8 servings

Chocolate Espresso Icebox Cake

This chocolate espresso icebox cake is rich, creamy, and comes together with just 20 minutes of prep time! A whipped espresso mascarpone cream is layered with chocolate graham crackers then chilled overnight in the fridge. The chilling time allows the graham crackers to soften and create a lovely, cake-like texture. Finished with dark chocolate shavings, this easy no-bake dessert is as elegant as it is effortless.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cooling Time 12 hours

Total Time 12 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

2 cups heavy whipping cream, cold
2 tablespoons espresso powder
16 ounces mascarpone cheese, cold
½ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 box chocolate graham crackers
1 dark chocolate bar, about 2-3 ounces

Instructions

Line an 8-inch square baking pan or dish with parchment, leaving an overhang on all sides. Secure the sides with binder clips if desired.
Add the whipping cream and espresso powder to the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk to encourage the espresso powder to dissolve. Once it is mostly dissolved, add the mascarpone, sugar, and vanilla extract. Use the whisk attachment and mix on low for 1-2 minutes, or until the mixture begins to thicken. Then, gradually increase the speed to medium-high. Whip until very thick and creamy, about 2 minutes.
Spread a skinny layer of the espresso cream on the bottom of the lined pan (this will help the graham crackers adhere), then place a single layer of graham crackers on top. Spread ¼ of the espresso cream evenly over the graham crackers in a layer using an offset spatula, followed by another layer of graham crackers. Repeat this process 3 more times, ending with a layer of cream on top. You should end up with 4 total layers of graham crackers. Cover the top with clingfilm and chill overnight, for at least 12 hours.
When you’re ready to serve the cake, remove it from the fridge. Use parchment to lift out the cake and place it on a platter or board. Use a vegetable peeler to shave off pieces of chocolate along the outer edges of the chocolate bar then scatter them over the top of the cake. Slice into 8 equal pieces and serve immediately.
Keep leftovers covered and chilled. Enjoy within 3-4 days.

Notes

I used most of one 12.2-ounce box of “fresh stack's chocolate graham crackers.

The squares were the perfect size for using in an 8-inch pan without having to break them apart to fit.

Leftovers may be frozen for up to 2 months. Allow them to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying.

I highly recommend using an 8-inch baking pan or dish rather than a larger 9-inch one as this recipe is formulated to fill a standard 8-inch pan. If you use a 9-inch pan, you’ll have much thinner layers and will need to break the graham crackers to fit.

This dessert is best enjoyed straight from the fridge so plan accordingly. The longer it sits out at room temperature, the softer the espresso cream becomes.

If you prefer a really strong espresso flavor, increase the amount of espresso powder from 2 to 3 tablespoons total.

Ensure that both your mascarpone cheese and whipping cream are cold (i.e. straight out of the fridge). This will help them gain volume during whipping and produce a nice, thick cream.

During testing, I found that I preferred ½ cup of sugar to keep the dessert from being overly sweet, but if you prefer a sweeter flavor to balance the espresso, increase the sugar to ¾ cup total.

Is there a substitute for mascarpone cheese? In a pinch, you can use an equal amount of cream cheese, but it will yield a tangier flavor closer to cheesecake.

How far in advance can I make this icebox cake? You can make it up to 3 days in advance. After 4 days, you can move leftovers to the freezer where they will keep for up to 2 months.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 620Total Fat: 54gSaturated Fat: 33gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 146mgSodium: 279mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 1gSugar: 26gProtein: 5g

The post Chocolate Espresso Icebox Cake appeared first on A Classic Twist.

Summer Archives - A Classic Twist

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Ingredients

For the blueberries:

For the biscuit topping:

Optional for serving:

Instructions

Notes

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Yield:

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Making this Recipe?

Strawberry Vanilla Bean Tres Leches Cake

Ingredients

How to Make Tres Leches Cake with Strawberries

How to Store

More Strawberry Recipes

Strawberry Tres Leches Cake Recipe

Ingredients

For the cake:

For the strawberry milk:

For the macerated strawberries and whipped cream:

Instructions

Notes

Recipe Tips and Testing Notes

FAQs

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size: